Spring feed shelf display with lateral adjustment

ABSTRACT

A product display for displaying and supporting a product or plurality of products. The product display includes a base having a longitudinal axis, a pusher slidable along the longitudinal axis of the base, a first side wire laterally adjustable relative to the base assembly, and second side wire laterally adjustable relative to the base assembly. The product display may also include a stop member coupled to the base to limit laterally-outward adjustment of both the first side wire and the second side wire. Further, the first side wire may be substantially identical.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/104,004 filed Oct. 9, 2008, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to shelf displays and morespecifically spring feed shelf displays.

Prominent display of and easy access to a product are desirable featuresin a retail display. When attempting to market a product, the sellertypically wants consumers to easily recognize the product and remove theproduct from the display. Merchandise can be most easily recognized iflocated in an upright position maintained in close proximity to thevisible edge of the merchandise shelf. It is also desirable for thedisplay to be adaptable to changes in merchandise or packaging size.Standard merchandise displays such as single shelves or racks havedifficulty maintaining proper orientation and position of the products.Shelves can leave tall, thin objects unstable, while both shelves andracks often leave merchandise highly inaccessible to a consumer once thefront packages have been removed. Spring feed shelf displays maintainproper orientation and location of the merchandise by urging productstoward the front of the shelf while holding the product in a generallyupright position.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates generally to a product display including abase having a longitudinal axis, a pusher slidable along thelongitudinal axis of the base, a first side wire laterally adjustablerelative to the base assembly, a second side wire laterally adjustablerelative to the base opposite the first side wire, and a stop membercoupled to the base to limit laterally-outward adjustment of both thefirst side wire and the second side wire relative to the base.

In one embodiment, the product display may include a base assemblyhaving a longitudinal axis, a first base member defining a first supportcavity, and a second base member defining a second support cavity and apusher slidable along the longitudinal axis of the base assembly. Theproduct display may also include a first side wire laterally adjustablewith respect to the base assembly, the first side wire having a firstextension rod slidably received by the first support cavity and a secondextension rod slidably received by the second support cavity, and asecond side wire laterally adjustable with respect to the base assemblyand positioned opposite the first side wire, the second side wire havinga third extension rod slidably received by the first support cavity anda fourth extension rod slidably received by the second support cavity.The product display may also include a stop member coupled to the firstbase member and engagable with the first and third extension rods tolimit laterally-outward adjustment of the first side wire and the secondside wire relative to the base assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a spring feed shelf display.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a base assembly of the spring feed shelfdisplay of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the base assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the base assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the base assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a section view of the spring feed shelf display taken alongline 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a pusher of the spring feed shelf displayof FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a pusher blank for the pusher of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the pusher of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the pusher of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a back view of the pusher of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a top view of a side rod of the spring feed shelf display ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the side rod of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the side rod of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a section view of the spring feed shelf display taken alongline 15-15 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the spring feed shelf displaypositioned on a display shelf.

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the spring feed shelf display of FIG. 1including an alternative pusher embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the alternative pusher embodiment ofFIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the alternative pusher embodiment of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a pusher blank for the pusher of FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangements of thecomponents set forth in the following description or embodiments, orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology usedherein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded aslimiting.

FIG. 1 illustrates a spring feed shelf display 10 for displaying andsupporting a product or plurality of products. The display 10 includes abase assembly 11, a pusher 26 longitudinally slideable along the baseassembly 11, and a pair of side wires 18 laterally adjustable relativeto the base assembly 11 and disposed on opposite sides of the pusher 26.The base assembly 11 includes a pair of spaced-apart lateral supports orbase members 14 that slidably receive portions of the side wires 18. Thebase assembly 11 also includes a plurality of longitidudinally extendingrods, including a pair of outer rods 22 and a pair of inner rods 23,that are coupled to and extend between the base members 14. The pusher26 is slidably coupled to the outer and inner rods 22, 23 forlongitudinal movement between the base members 14. At least one biasingmember 30 (the illustrated construction includes a pair of biasingmembers 30) extends between the pusher 26 and a forward one of the basemembers 14 and biases the pusher 26 towards a forward one of the basemembers 14. A front stop 51, defined by portions of the outer rods 22,extends upwardly from the forward one of the base members 14 to limitforward movement of products held by the display 10.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate the base assembly 11. The outer rods 22 are spacedfrom each other by a distance D and are flanked by the inner rods 23.The inner and outer rods 22, 23 are substantially parallel to each otherand define a direction of translation N for the pusher 26. In theillustrated construction each rod 22,23 is formed from a substantiallyrigid material, such as stainless steel or another suitable metal. Theinner and outer rods 22, 23 are substantially cylindrical incross-section, but may also have oblong or polygonal cross-sections,provided the rods allow for translation of the pusher 26 in thedirection N while supporting the products in the storage volume.

The front stop 51 extends upwardly from the forward ends of the outerrods 22. In the illustrated construction the front stop 51 is generallyarcuate and is formed of the same elongated rod as the outer rods 22.The front stop 51 generally includes two uprights 50 and a substantiallysemicircular connector 54 to support and restrict the motion of aproduct or plurality of products held by the display. The front stop 51may also be parabolic, elliptical, linear, or have another shapesufficient to stop movement of articles in the display. A placard 34(FIG. 1) coupled to the front stop 51 provides a display surface forsignage or indicia relating to the merchandise. For example, the placard34 may include labeling, advertising, and/or pricing informationrelating to merchandise being displayed.

The base members 14 are fixedly coupled to the ends of the inner andouter rods 22, 23, for example by welding. The base members 14 extendsubstantially perpendicularly to the inner and outer rods 23, 22,spanning at least the distance D. Additional base members may also beprovided along the length of the inner and outer rods 22, 23 to provideadditional support. In the illustrated construction, each base member 14is formed from a substantially flat, rigid, for example metallic, blank.The blank is generally formed by bending and/or extrusion into asubstantially “C” shape resulting in a substantially flat upper portion66 and a pair of arcuate side portions 67 (FIG. 6). The side portions 67cooperate with the flat upper portion 66 to define a pair of supportcavities 68 that receive the side wires 18. The upper portion 66 alsodefines a plurality (e.g. two) of elongated slots 58. The elongatedslots 58 are configured to receive and secure an end of the biasingmember 30, as discussed further below. The upper portion 66 also definesa central positioning hole 46 configured to receive a stop member 70(e.g. a rivet, FIG. 6) for retention of the side wires 18. Preferably,each base member 14 is identical to simplify manufacturing and therebyreduce the cost of the display 10.

FIGS. 7-11 illustrate the pusher 26. In the illustrated construction,the pusher 26 is formed of a single sheet of rigid yet formable material(FIG. 8), such as, for example, polyethylene. The sheet is creased alongline 82 to form the pusher 26 as a substantially triangular prism havinga front panel 38 and a rear panel 39. Adjacent bottom edges 84, thepusher 26 defines a plurality of inner slots 74 that are configured toreceive one of the inner rods 23. The inner slots 74 extend inwardlyfrom the bottom edge 84 and include a substantially “U” shapedperimeter. In other constructions, the perimeter of the inner slots 74may include a different profile that compliments differently-shapedinner rods 23.

A pair of outer slots 75 are spaced outwardly from the inner slots 74.The illustrated outer slots 75 of the pusher 26 extend inwardly fromside edges 83 to define a substantially “U” shaped slot that receivesthe outer rods 22. By opening outwardly, the outer slots 75 define apair of stability tabs 77 adjacent the bottom edge 84 of the front andrear panels 38, 39. The stability tabs 77 engage the undersides of theouter rods 22 to stabilize the pusher 26 when the pusher 26 is coupledto the base assembly 11.

The front panel 38 of the pusher 26 also defines a plurality (e.g. twoas illustrated) of elongated slots 76 that extend substantially parallelto the bottom edge 84. Each slot 76 is configured such that a portion ofa respective biasing member 30 extends through the slot 76, as discussedfurther below.

Referring also to FIGS. 12-14, the illustrated side wires 18 are formedfrom a single, substantially rigid rod. Each side wire 18 includes acentral portion 94 having a length that substantially corresponds to thedistance between the forward and rearward base members 14. Uprights 98extend substantially perpendicular from each end of the central portion94, and terminate in curved foot members 90. Extension rods 99 (FIG. 12)extend from the foot members 90 substantially parallel to each anotherand perpendicular to the upright rods 98. The extension rods 99 includeinsert ends 102 each of which defines a stopping hook 86. Each stoppinghook 86 extends generally perpendicularly, in a common direction, fromits respective insert end 102. The side wires 18 are configured suchthat substantially identical side wires 18 can be used on both sides ofthe display 10.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, the pusher 26 is slideably coupledto the outer and inner rods 22, 23 by manipulating the outer rods 22into the outer slots 75. This may be accomplished by a combination ofbending the pusher 26, angling the pusher 26 relative to the rods 22,and outwardly bending the outer rods 22. Similar manipulation is alsoused to position the inner rods 23 within the inner slots 74. When theouter rods 22 are positioned in the outer slots 75 and the inner rods 23are positioned within the inner slots 74, the stability tabs 77 extendbeneath the outer rods 22 to restrict vertical displacement of thepusher 26 relative to the rods 22, 23.

As shown in FIG. 1, the biasing members 30 are coupled to and extendbetween the pusher 26 and the forward base member 14. Each biasingmember 30 is positioned between one of the inner and one of the outerrods 22, 23. Biasing members 30 include a coiled end 64 and an anchorend 62. The coiled end 64 is generally captured between the front andrear panels 38, 39 of the pusher 26, while the anchor end 62 extendsthrough and is captured by the elongated slot 58 of the forward basemember 14. A plurality of bends 63 in the anchor end 62 aid in couplingto the forward base member 14, although other fastening methods may beused. An exposed portion 31 of each biasing member 30 extends throughthe slots 76 in the front panel, which guide forward and rearwardmovement of the pusher 26, and maintain positioning of the biasingmembers 30. The biasing members 30 provide a biasing force that urgesthe pusher 26 toward the front stop 51.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 15, the side wires 18 are slideably coupledto the base member 14 by inserting the extension rods 99 into thesupport cavities 68 of the base members 14. The extension rods 99 areinserted such that the stopping hooks 86 extend past the positioninghole 46. With the extension rods 99 so positioned, the stop member 70 isinserted and secured within the positioning hole 46. In the illustratedconstruction, the stop member 70 is a rivet. The stop member 70 permitslateral adjustment of the side wires 18 relative to the base members 14,while preventing removal of the side wires 18 from the support cavities68 by restricting outward movement of the stopping hooks 86 beyond thestop member 70.

As shown in FIG. 16, the spring feed shelf display 10 can be positionedon substantially any type of shelving 106 for the display and dispensingof a product. In the illustrated construction, the shelving 106 includesa plurality of apertures 108 near a forward edge of the shelving 106.Cable ties 104 or other coupling devices may therefore be used to securethe spring feed shelf display 10 to the shelving 106, while stillallowing the side wires 18 to be laterally adjusted for display anddispensing of differently-sized products.

In use, the pusher 26 is moved rearwardly, against the biasing forceprovided by the biasing members 30, and a plurality of products ispositioned between the pusher 26 and the front stop 51. The products aresupported from below by the outer and inner wires 22, 23. The side wires18 may then be adjusted to a width that is appropriate for supportingthe sides of the products. The biasing force provided by the biasingmembers 30 urges the pusher 26 forwardly, toward the front stop 51,thereby holding the products in an upright position. When a forward-mostproduct of the plurality of products is removed, the pusher 26 urges theremaining product or products forwardly such that the next productengages the front stop 51 and is positioned for subsequent removal bythe customer. In this way, the spring feed shelf display 10 maintainsthe product in a forward-most position for prominent display and ease ofremoval by customers.

FIGS. 17-20 illustrate a second embodiment of the pusher 26′. The pusher26′ includes a wire-frame body 114′ having multiple bends that provide afirst pusher portion 118′ for contacting and supporting the product, anda second pusher portion 122′ angled relative to the first pusher portion118′ for stabilizing the pusher 26′. The first and second pusherportions 118′, 122′ each include rod engaging portions 126′, 130′,respectively, that receive one or more rods 22, 23 of the base assembly11 and permit the pusher 26′ to laterally slide along the base assembly11. As illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 20, the rod engaging portions 130′ ofsecond portion 122′ are formed to open to the outside of the pusher 26′,thereby forming substantially C-shaped portions that engage the innerrods 23. The rod engaging portions 126′ of the first portion 118′ areformed to face inwardly and engage the outer rods 22. Duringmanufacturing, the portions 122′ and 126′ are formed and the resultingpusher blank is bent about the dashed line of FIG. 20 to form thecompleted pusher 26′ illustrated in FIGS. 17-19. In the illustratedembodiment the pusher 26′ is formed from a single elongated rod. Inother embodiments the pusher 26′ may be formed from a wireframe weldmentor assembly, or from a combination of wireframe and plate elements.

1. A product display comprising: a base having a longitudinal axis; apusher slidable along the longitudinal axis of the base; a first sidewire laterally adjustable relative to the base assembly; a second sidewire laterally adjustable relative to the base opposite the first sidewire; and a stop member coupled to the base to limit laterally-outwardadjustment of both the first side wire and the second side wire relativeto the base.
 2. The product display of claim 1, wherein the first sidewire and second side wire are slideably received by the base.
 3. Theproduct display of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the first sidewire and the second side wire are retained within the base by the stopmember.
 4. The product display of claim 3, wherein the first side wireincludes a stop hook to engage the stop member.
 5. The product displayof claim 1, wherein the stop member is a rivet.
 6. The product displayof claim 1, wherein the base assembly includes two base members eachdefining a support cavity, and wherein the first side wire is at leastpartially received by the support cavity of each base member.
 7. Theproduct display of claim 1, wherein the first side wire and the secondside wire are substantially identical.
 8. The product display of claim1, wherein a biasing member is positioned to bias the pusher along thelongitudinal axis of the base.
 9. A product display comprising: a baseassembly including a longitudinal axis, a first base member defining afirst support cavity, and a second base member defining a second supportcavity; a pusher slidable along the longitudinal axis of the baseassembly; a first side wire laterally adjustable with respect to thebase assembly, the first side wire having a first extension rod slidablyreceived by the first support cavity and a second extension rod slidablyreceived by the second support cavity; a second side wire laterallyadjustable with respect to the base assembly and positioned opposite thefirst side wire, the second side wire having a third extension rodslidably received by the first support cavity and a fourth extension rodslidably received by the second support cavity; and a stop membercoupled to the first base member and engagable with the first and thirdextension rods to limit laterally-outward adjustment of the first sidewire and the second side wire relative to the base assembly.
 10. Theproduct display of claim 9, wherein the first and third extension rodseach include a distal end that defines a stopping hook.
 11. The productdisplay of claim 10,wherein the first extension rod extends into thefirst cavity from a first end of the first cavity, the third extensionrod extends into the first cavity from a second end of the first cavity,wherein the stop member is positioned substantially mid-way between thefirst and second ends of the first cavity, and wherein the stopping hookof the first extension rod is positioned between the stop member and thesecond end of the first cavity and the stopping hook of the secondextension member is positioned between the stop member and the first endof the first cavity.
 12. The product display of claim 10, wherein thestopping hooks engage the stop member to limit laterally-outwardadjustment of the first side wire and the second side wire relative tothe base assembly.
 13. The product display of claim 9, wherein the firstside wire and the second side wire are substantially identical.
 14. Theproduct display of claim 9, wherein a biasing member is positioned tobias the pusher in a longitudinal direction relative to the base.